HC Deb 10 March 1998 vol 308 cc180-1W
Dr. Brand

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what provisions the Government intend to make to provide compensation to those who have suffered severe brain damage as a result of vaccination administered on behalf of the Department of Health. [30827]

Mr. Denham

The existing Vaccine Damage Payment scheme, which has been in place since 1979, provides a one-off payment, not compensation, to people severely disabled by vaccination against certain diseases. The Vaccine Damage Payments Act and Regulations set out the full conditions of entitlement. The scheme is currently under consideration.

.Dr. Brand

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications were made under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 in each year since 1993; and of these applications, how many were successful and which vaccines were involved. [30805]

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many payments have been made to applicants following assessment by the Vaccine Damage Payments Unit since its inception, by type of vaccine. [30939]

Mr. Denham

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

Claims and awards made by the vaccine damage payment unit
Year Claims Awards
1977–78 3
1978–79 1,772 21
1979–80 820 336
1980–81 125 251
1981–82 76 67
1982–83 101 38
1983–84 117 39
1984–85 98 35
1985–86 69 25
1986–87 76 17
1987–88 63 10
1988–89 39 3
1989–90 54 3
1990–91 34 1
1991–92 37 7
1992–93 51 13
1993–94 55 4
1994–95 77 6
1995–96 69 6
1996–97 70 5

Notes:

  1. 1. Applicants are asked to list all the vaccines they or their child have received. The award is not made in respect of a specific vaccine, as children receive several vaccines in the first few months of life.
  2. 2. The payments made in any one year do not necessarily relate to the specific claims made in that year. Also, if an award is made, a trust fund may need to be set up to administer the money on behalf of the disabled person.